Israel's Elections: What Is At Stake TODAY
Today, Israelis go to the polls to elect a new government. The last public opinion surveys show a close race between Kadima and Likud (Voting Ticket: MaChaL) but a clear victory for Right wing parties. Israel's electorate has moved decidedly to the Right since electing Kadima. Even the Left of Center Labor Party is riding on the military exploits of its leader Ehud Barak. In other words the best way to get support is to demonstrate you are willing and able to stand up to Arabs who threaten the State of Israel.
Benjmain Netanyahu's Likud Party (Voting Ticket: MaChaL) has been the front runner throughout the campaign. His most energetic challenge has come from an ultra-Nationalist party headed by Avigdor Lieberman. Lieberman has gained attention and polling points by picking public fights with Israeli Arabs.
Meanwhile Israel's election system which is based on multiple parties dividing the vote is providing the Kadima Party with an opportunity to win the most mandates. It would be a rejection of the will of the people if Kadima forms the next government, but it could by gaining less than 20% of the overall vote. In other words, after the vote count there will be a great deal of wheeling and dealing to form a coalition government before a new government is formed.
This is unfortunate because Israel needs and deserves a government that represents the will of the overwhelming majority of Israeli voters. Poll after poll has shown overwhelming support for keeping Jerusalem united, keeping the Golan Heights, rejecting the so-called two state solution, and support for stopping Iran from gaining nuclear weapons.
The polls have also shown that Israelis believe that Benjamin Netanyahu (Voting Ticket: MaChaL) is the leader best able to defend the will of the people.
The One Jerusalem Team
Technorati Tag: Israeli Election.
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